Some pieces were embellished with carpet tacks in a Pinhead from "Hellraiser" meets futuristic porcupine sort of way. There were heavy, black, multi-buckled boots that rose nearly to the knee, umpteen black and white triangle designs (a recurring motif that cropped up in silver trousers and trenches as well), that conjured a sharp, precise, and imposing future, or something sliced out a double helix — except when it came to the quilted puffer vests and long puffy jackets. (I'm convinced it's nearly impossible to look ominous in a quilted nylon vest.)

The agressive Goth severity reminded me a little bit of Rick Owens' own men's runway debut in Paris two days earlier (not surprisingly, Owens mentored Pugh). And like the Owens show, I managed to capture it on video, although facing into the spotlight didn't help matters and, in reviewing my handiwork, I realize I did a better job of showcasing the people (and fire extinguisher) across from me at the Palais de Tokyo venue.

The first time I saw a Cubist painting I was mesmerized and a bit confused — and my curiosity was piqued. And I feel the same way about Pugh, and can't wait to see what he has up his black leather, pin-studded sleeve. The men's side of the business is oft-said to be "an evolution, not a revolution," but someday this show may be looked back on as the shot heard 'round the world, especially since this morning, the (UK) Daily Telegraph website asks: "Could London's avant garde Gareth Pugh be in the LVMH sights?' (referring to the holding company that owns or has stakes in a wide swath of luxury brands notably Louis Vuitton, Givenchy and Dior Homme, which all showed here this week).

If the answer is "yes," it would be a real Cinderella story for the 27-year-old who graduated from Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design in London only in 2003 and mounted his first London Fashion Week show just three years ago.